Charlestown Harbour on the market for £4.4M 10th July 2012

Charlestown Harbour, an idyllic, yet fully functional, Grade II listed 18th Century port, near St Austell on the south coast of Cornwall, is for sale. The total package (asking price £4,400,000) includes properties, the waterfront, beaches and the operational and business assets of Square Sail, a specialist charter; marine training and marine film company and owner of two historical square rigged sailing ships.

One of the few remaining British ports still in private ownership, the Charlestown Harbour property portfolio includes two weighbridge buildings, a quaint roundhouse at the end of the harbour, an ice cream pitch, 1.5 acres of land used as car parking and an ancient access tunnel leading from the harbour to the Heritage Centre. As well as rental from the buildings, there is more income generated by moorings, film location fees, water rights from Charlestown lakes and car parking fees.

Adjacent to Charlestown Harbour, there is a two acre plot, which would be suitable for either commercial or residential development (subject to planning). It is available on a strictly non-conditional basis, either as part of the overall harbour package or following the sale of the harbour freehold.

The sale of Square Sail Shipyard's marine business and assets includes two historical square rigged sailing ships, used in epics such as Frenchman’s Creek and Treasure Island, as well as fixtures, fittings and equipment.

Originally a tiny fishing village known as West Polmear, with a population of just nine people, Charlestown Harbour was built in 1792 by local landowner Charles Rashleigh in conjunction with John Smeaton. It was designed as an export port to serve the booming clay and copper industries of the region - Rashleigh being the owner of several copper mines and an extremely wealthy man. The harbour proved extremely profitable and was so busy that it was expanded again in 1825.